Preventing Drunk Driving Accidents

The United States Census Bureau notes that an annual average of 10.6 million motor vehicle accidents was reported over the course of five years, starting from 2005 to 2009. This number proves that traffic accidents are a common occurrence across the nation. Of particular note is the fact that a huge chuck of these accidents are caused by drunk driving. As noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired driving has led to roughly 10,000 deaths in the year 2012. This doesn’t account for the other accidents that left victims severely injured.

A Milwaukee car accident lawyer will probably have spent a lot of time considering these facts. It’s easy to see why state and federal governments are hard pressed on their commitment to prevent drunk driving accidents. Over the last decade, the implementation of traffic policies regarding alcohol-impaired driving has been a lot more stringent. In the same way, the penalties met by those charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) have also become strict.

An example of these policies is the growing presence of sobriety checkpoints established in several states across the country. Here, law and traffic enforcers can pull over vehicles and check for the driver’s condition through breathalyzer and sobriety field tests. They are particularly looking for drivers that are operating their vehicles while they have a blood alcohol content or BAC level that goes beyond what is recognized to be safe and legal. For private individuals, it’s illegal to drive while having a BAC level at or above 0.08 percent. Meanwhile, individuals that are operating commercial vehicles should recognize the 0.04 percent limit. According to the website of the Abel Law Firm, drivers under the age of 21 are under a zero tolerance policy. Any trace amount of alcohol found in a driver under the legal drinking age is grounds for a DUI.

For individuals caught for alcohol-impaired driving, the penalties they face include having to pay a significant amount of fines, some time in prison or jail, and a period of suspension. Such consequences cannot compare to those suffered by drunk driving accident victims. Louisville car accident lawyers would probably also note that victims are left to suffer physical and emotional trauma, as well as financial burden caused by medical expenses.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, know that you are entitled to pursue legal action and receive compensation for the damages you’ve been made to suffer.